Read on Twitter
New @BrookingsMetro post from @StatelerLaura & me: " #EssentialWorkers comprise about 1/2 of all workers in low-wage occupations. They deserve a $15 #MinimumWage."
We examine who they are, why low pay is an indignity & why we need $15 min wage.
1/ https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2021/02/05/essential-workers-deserve-minimum-wage-increase/
For months, leaders in Washington have said it isn't enough just to PRAISE #EssentialWorkers -- we must also PAY them.
In long run, the best way is for Congress to -finally- raise federal min wage.
@POTUS admin proposed this in American rescue plan, citing #EssentialWorkers. 2/
In long run, the best way is for Congress to -finally- raise federal min wage.
@POTUS admin proposed this in American rescue plan, citing #EssentialWorkers. 2/
A $15/hr min wage would disproportionately benefit #EssentialWorkers.
Using our colleagues @AdieTomer @jwkane1's data classifying #EssentialWorkers, we found #EssentialWorkers comprised ~1/2 all workers in occupations w/ median wage < $15/hr in 2018. https://www.brookings.edu/research/to-protect-frontline-workers-during-and-after-covid-19-we-must-define-who-they-are/
Using our colleagues @AdieTomer @jwkane1's data classifying #EssentialWorkers, we found #EssentialWorkers comprised ~1/2 all workers in occupations w/ median wage < $15/hr in 2018. https://www.brookings.edu/research/to-protect-frontline-workers-during-and-after-covid-19-we-must-define-who-they-are/
Today, w/ stunning 21% increase in unemployment among workers earning < $27k/yr, and job losses concentrated in non-essential industries like leisure and hospitality, it is likely that #EssentialWorkers today are more than half of workers in occupations w/ median wage <$15/hr. 4/
The #COVID19 pandemic has spotlighted indignity that millions of #EssentialWorkers face in jobs vital to country w/o earning enough to meet basic needs.
Yvette Beatty is one of them. A home health aid, she is struggling to feed family w/only “itty, bitty” pay of $12.75/hr. 5/
Yvette Beatty is one of them. A home health aid, she is struggling to feed family w/only “itty, bitty” pay of $12.75/hr. 5/
"It is very hard. Thank god for the noodles," she told me.
Lisa Harris, a Kroger cashier, described the struggle of colleagues earning wages averaging $10/hr: “I have coworkers who stand all day serving people and then have to go pay for their own groceries with food stamps.”6/
Lisa Harris, a Kroger cashier, described the struggle of colleagues earning wages averaging $10/hr: “I have coworkers who stand all day serving people and then have to go pay for their own groceries with food stamps.”6/
“I think that $15/hour should be the minimum, and stay there," Lisa Harris told me.
"We are heroes every day, and we deserve to be paid as such. We haven’t gone from unskilled labor to essential personnel. We always were essential personnel.”
Raising the #MinimumWage wage 7/
"We are heroes every day, and we deserve to be paid as such. We haven’t gone from unskilled labor to essential personnel. We always were essential personnel.”
Raising the #MinimumWage wage 7/
would narrow enormous gap b/w value that #EssentialWorkers bring to society & low wages.
It would also enhance racial equity. Half of the nearly 19 million frontline essential workers in occupations w/ a median wage less than $15 an hour, at risk to themselves, are nonwhite.8/
It would also enhance racial equity. Half of the nearly 19 million frontline essential workers in occupations w/ a median wage less than $15 an hour, at risk to themselves, are nonwhite.8/
Before the pandemic, the work of essential workers was often overlooked. Now, in pandemic, public opinion surveys show > support for a higher min wage including among more Republicans. Even in a divided country, an overwhelming majority of Americans support a $15 minimum wage. 9/
Employers have clear moral case to raise pay. But w/o legislation requiring them to do so, most have not.
We found 13 top retail companies earned an *additional* $17.7 billion in pandemic profits & shared little w/ workers. Most still have low wages. 10/ https://www.brookings.edu/essay/windfall-profits-and-deadly-risks/
We found 13 top retail companies earned an *additional* $17.7 billion in pandemic profits & shared little w/ workers. Most still have low wages. 10/ https://www.brookings.edu/essay/windfall-profits-and-deadly-risks/
Benefits of $15 min wage = enormous. @benzipperer and colleagues at @economicpolicy estimate it would raise pay for~32 mill workers while reducing government $ on public assistance programs by b/w $13.4 - $31 bn. Most workers who benefit = essential. 11/ https://www.epi.org/publication/why-america-needs-a-15-minimum-wage/
Moreover, a raft of research -- led by @arindube -- strongly indicates little risk of widespread job losses from an increase to $15 per hour.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impacts-of-minimum-wages-review-of-the-international-evidence
12/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impacts-of-minimum-wages-review-of-the-international-evidence
12/
To #EssentialWorkers like Sabrina Hopps, a housekeeping supervisor at acute care facility in DC, finally earning $15/hr has meant everything.
When she was promoted last year, she began to exceed $15/hr for the first time in > 30 years.
"It makes me want to cry,” she said.13/
When she was promoted last year, she began to exceed $15/hr for the first time in > 30 years.
"It makes me want to cry,” she said.13/
"I am not stressed anymore. The raise means I am a little better able to pay the bulk of the bills and afford the rent on my own if I had to. It allowed me to move. It is peaceful.”
Sabrina hopes min wage will be raised for all workers, including CNAs, dietary, housekeepers. 14/
Sabrina hopes min wage will be raised for all workers, including CNAs, dietary, housekeepers. 14/
“We are the ones who are still out here fighting,” Sabrina told me last night. “Raising the #MinimumWage to $15 can help them have a better life.”
cc @BrianDeeseNEC @hboushey46 @econjared46 @BharatRamamurti @joelle_gamble @BernieSanders @MaryKayHenry @marthagimbel
cc @BrianDeeseNEC @hboushey46 @econjared46 @BharatRamamurti @joelle_gamble @BernieSanders @MaryKayHenry @marthagimbel
cc @taradmcguinness @hshierholz @greenhousenyt @EJDionne @Marc_Perrone @UFCW @SmileyJWJ @aijenpoo @LipstickEcon @MichaelSLinden @janellecj @FeliciaWongRI @RachelKorberg @MaxwellMB2 @tomperriello @byMichaelGeorge @AnnieLowrey @annastansbury @LarryMishel @EconCharlie @EDerenoncourt
cc @IndivarD @cecmunoz @McCarthyEdWork @VShabo @TracyW_DC @WSpriggs @eliselgould @mboteach @StefFeldman @JFODonnell13 @conway_maureen @AngelaHanks @wsbgnl @aaronsojourner @laurenlbauer @lizshuler @saritasgupta @mioana @jacobselisabeth
